7-Year-Old Girl Dies of Rabies in Kerala Despite Full Vaccination

Despite timely vaccinations, the seven-year-old from Kollam loses her life to rabies, marking the third fatality in Kerala this month.

Thiruvananthapuram : A seven-year-old girl from Kollam district has succumbed to rabies. This occurred despite her receiving the full course of anti-rabies vaccinations. This is the third such fatality in Kerala this month.

The victim, Niya Faisal, was bitten by a stray dog on April 8 while playing near her home in Vilakkudy. Her family promptly gave the first dose of the anti-rabies vaccine at a local health center. They administered additional doses at Punalur Taluk Hospital.

The final dose was scheduled for May 6. However, Niya developed a high fever and severe pain at the wound site, leading to her admission to Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on April 29. Despite intensive care, she tested positive for rabies. She was placed on ventilator support. She passed away on May 5.

SAT Hospital Superintendent Dr. S. Bindhu stated that the ineffectiveness of the vaccine cannot be solely blamed for the incident.

“This child was bitten in an area where there are large nerves. So if it enters nerves, it will affect the brain before the vaccine starts showing its effect,” she said. “Rabies is a virus that enters the brain and spinal cord through nerves. If children get a bite in the neck, face, or hand, these are areas where the density of nerves is high. So, the possibility of the bite reaching the nerves directly is high,” the doctors explained.

This incident follows the death of a six-year-old girl in Malappuram district last week. She contracted rabies despite receiving the full vaccination regimen.

Rabies is a preventable viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, primarily through bites. Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal. Immediate and appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis is crucial to prevent the onset of symptoms. This includes wound cleaning and timely administration of the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.

Authorities are reviewing current protocols. They emphasize the need for public awareness. Prompt medical attention following animal bites is essential to prevent further tragedies.